Well here I am changing my mind. I have decided to add bow planes to the 23.Not because I intend to use them but to show my Uni 2.5 system can do it with one of the slave cylinders.Here is one of the cylinders mounted in the hull. Also the tube the cylinder is mounted too will be used for trimming weight. BD.

You may be able to do it but then you are drifting away from the KISS principle.The system is simple and has more than enough lift as it sits. But it comes down to the old saying "There is more than one way to skin a cat" Sorry all you cat lovers. It's just a saying. BD.

The bow planes are really small on the 23 so that is a good question.I will know when I test my boat.On any of my subs that have bow planes I usually have them on a slider control on my radio.This way I can use them as more of a trim function and keep them at a set position.

Matt,I have basically the same system in my 1/48 Balao hull.I have designed the UNI 2.5 to be adaptable to different sized hulls.The basic control cylinder stays the same but the motor changes.There are two different sized ballast sections as well. One with a lower pressure and one with a higher pressure pump. Using as many common parts as possible makes building a cylinder easier for me. Hopefully I can bring the design fully to market. BD.

That is excellent news! That's what I was hoping you would say. I won't have PIKE ready for her internals until late winter. Hopefully you will have something available that I can adapt by then? This is one of the best developments in the hobby in many years! Well done!!

How long does it take for a full dive and full surface with your 1/48th Gato?

It will surface quite quickly which is a normal thing for the R system.The dive takes longer which is how it should be.The pump takes longer to compress and bladder air than the valve takes to empty the pressure tank.

I remember watching Skip dive a Marlin years back and it was the most realistic dive I had ever seen.All he did was hit dive.He had the sub trimmed out so well it was amazing. BD.

I made and installed some penny tubes.These are used for adding keel weight.I use lexan that has an ID almost exactly the same as a penny.I can add and subtract them and move them between the bow and stern to trim the hull.A good use for spare change. BD.

Eager to see your boat in the water. Want to learn how yours will behave as it"s without an automatic leveller. Another builder in another well known site has trouble with his Type XXIII porpoising but this is possibly due to a faulty leveler.